Electric switch



April Z1, 1942. A; D. cAMMlsAN ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed OCT.. 30, 1940rnold D. Cammisano,"(`lliilcztgo,` Ill.,` aissignor of h one-third toSolly Botansky, Chicago, Ill. Application October 30, 1940, Serial No.363,469

2 Claims. (01.200-167) The invention relates to improvements in electricswitches especially adapted for usein dwellings, the primary object ofthe invention being the provision of an improved construction of thischaracter which is soconstructed and arranged as to eliminate largelysparking or arcing when the circuit is made or broken; which is positiveand certain in action; and which is provided with a luminous spotwhereby it may be readily found in the dark.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists of the combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter described and claimed. i

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawing `forming a part of this specification, and in which- Fig. 1 is afront view of a switch embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 an enlarged vertical section thereof` showing the switch parts intheir off positions;

Fig. 3 a section similar to Fig. 2V but showing the switch parts intheiron positions;

Fig. 4 a section taken substantially on line 4-'4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 a section taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 an enlarged section taken substantially on line 6--6 of Fig. 4. i

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing comprises awall box I0 having a cover plate Il and cooperating with a wall plate I2and whereby the wallbox I0 may be mounted and covered in the wall of adwelling in the usual way. As shown, the wall plate I2 is provided withthe usual slot I3 for accommodation of the switch operating button orpost to be presently described. r

Electric terminals I4 in the form `of spring metallic strips are bentasindicated `to form subversely between supporting ears 23 on the coverplate II. The hub 2I also carries an operating rocker arm 24 having aslot and pin connection 25 with ears 26 formed on the inner side of aslide 21 slidably mounted as indicated in the cover plate II. The slide2.1 carries an operating post or button 28 which projects outwardlythrough the slot I3 in the wall plate I2. By this arrangement the switchbar I8 may bereadily shifted into and out of engagement with the socketsI5 of the terminals I4 whendesired.

The hub 2l carries at one end a projecting bead or knobl 29 cooperatingwith a correspondf ing bead or knob 3|] on the inner face of one of theears23, and a compression spring 3I serves to press said knobs intocooperative relationship stantially V-shaped sockets I5 and are securedin place in the box I0 by means of binding screws I6 so as to bring thesockets I5 in transverse registration to each other as indicated. Theterminals I4 are insulated from the box Ill fand the usual lead wires IIare connected thereto by means of the binding screws I6, whereby saidterminals will 4be supplied with electric current as will be readilyunderstood. r

A switch bar la` in the form of a metallic conductor is secured at theouter ends of `strips of insulation material I9 forming the outer partof a rocker arm 20 carried by a centralhub 2l which is mounted for bothpivotal and lateral movement 0n a pivot pin 22 extending transto serveas aspring detent for positively holding the switch bar I8 in either itson or oli positions as will be readily understood.

Arranged at the bottom of the slide 2l is a luminous spot 32 of materialwhich will be luminous in the dark and a corresponding opening 33 isprovided the wall plate I2 to register With said luminous spot 32 whenthe operating button 28 is in its off position, `and whereby theluminous spot 32 will be visible under such circumstances and facilitatethe nding of the switch in the dark while protecting said spot againstcontact with the fingers of children or careless persons.

By this arrangement an electric switch construction is providedespecially adapted for use in dwellings in which sparking or arcing willbe practically eliminated; in which the action of the `switch ispositive and certain; in which the switch isreleasably but positivelylocked in both its on and off positions and in which it may be readilyfound in thedark. The specic form and arrangement of the parts is asimple and effective one for the purpose.

While I have illustrated and described the pre` vferred form ofconstruction for carrying the invention` into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modication without departing `from the` ments; aprojecting knob on one end 0f said hub; a corresponding knob on saidsupport cooperating therewith; a compression spring serving to presssaid knobs into cooperative relationship so as to serve as springdetents for yieldingly holding said hub in either of its adjustedpositions; a switch rocker arm on said hub; a transverse insulatedswitch bar carried by said. switch arm; and a pair of switch terminals.arranged on opposite sides ofthe path of said switch barso as to beelectrically connected thereby when said switch arm is swung intoposition between said terminals.

2. An electric switch comprising a support;,a rocking member mounted foraxial movement in said support; a detent connection with the supportarranged to engage and dsengage through said axial movement to hold saidmember in its operative and inoperative positions; a spring arranged tohold said detent connections yieldingly in engagement with each other;an operating arm on said member; a slide having a slot and pinconnection with said operating arm and arranged to swing said arm torock said member; a rocker arm on said member carrying an insulatedswitch bar; and a pair of spaced switch termi- .swung into contacttherewith.

ARNOLD D. CAMMISANO.

